Fargo Democrat, Representative Karla Rose Hanson, is set to introduce bills protecting in vitro fertilization and birth control in North Dakota, giving Republican lawmakers the opportunity to prove they won’t target these reproductive rights. She expressed fears of anti-abortion legislation extending to IVF in the upcoming session. State Senator Janne Myrdal opposes the bills, claiming IVF is not at risk in North Dakota. Hanson cited concerns of the personhood movement affecting IVF, referencing a 2014 state referendum. Parents who have used IVF and healthcare providers joined Hanson at a press conference, with endorsements from medical associations. Shauna Erickson-Abou Zahr shared her IVF story, emphasizing the importance of such treatments for families facing infertility due to health issues. Hanson, uncontested in the upcoming election, plans to introduce the bills in January when the Legislature convenes. Concerns over potential threats to reproductive healthcare highlight a growing divide between Democrats and Republicans on these issues. The bills aim to protect access to fertility treatments and contraception amidst the backdrop of a divisive political landscape regarding reproductive rights. The debate is expected to intensify as the legislative session approaches, with stakeholders on both sides gearing up for a contentious battle over the future of reproductive healthcare in North Dakota.
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